RidgeProject helps clean up Inyokern Airport

Friday

Jul 26, 2013 at 4:20 PM

IYK getting ready for FAA

By Mike BodineSTAFF WRITERmbodine@ridgecrestca.com

INYOKERN — Volunteers rode their bikes all the way from Florida to help the RidgeProject clean the grounds of the Inyokern Airport. The airport is trying to look pretty in anticipation of a yet unscheduled inspection by the Federal Aviation Administration. The FAA is looking to award contracts to sites to be used for federal unmanned aircraft vehicle research.Meanwhile, a group of ambitious college graduates known as Bike and Build have been riding bicycles since May from Jacksonville to San Francisco. Bike and Build is part of Habitat for Humanity, and riders have been biking from town to town helping with projects.For the past three years, Bike and Build has worked with local Habitat for Humanity representative Duke Martin in helping with projects. Last year, the groups helped in the demolition of Monroe Middle School.There is not a local building project this year, so the group partnered with the RidgeProject to help clean the airport.The group of about 30 college bike riders will clock in more than 4,000 miles when they finally touch down in San Francisco in August.“We ride our bikes across the country raising money and awareness for affordable housing,” said cyclist Katie Carlson of Greeley, Colo.Olivia Plews of Michigan said it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.One rider said she's never been pushed harder in her life.Chip Calloway, Ridgecrest councilman and RidgeProject volunteer said the airport is the first impression many people have of the area and should be kept looking nice.Scott Seymour, airport manager said that the airport anticipates working with private UAV firms. He said the airport is establishing itself as a center for UAV research, regardless of the FAA's contract decisions. Gary Charlon of the project said Home Depot is donating materials for the beautification and Earth Landscaping and Brian Sonen­nburg Landscaping will also be pitching in. The bulging-thighed Bike to Build riders are staying the night at Immanuel Christian tonight before heading up Highway 395 toward Yosemite.Plews said the group will dip their front tires into the Pacific Ocean after having dipped their back tires in the Atlantic Ocean when they left on May 19.